Table with folding legs



Dec. 29, 1953 KRASKA 2,664,329

TABLE WITH FOLDING LEGS Filed Aug. is, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F I7 20 INVHVTOR.

R. M. KRASKA 2,664,329

TABLE WITH FOLDING LEGS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15, 1949 INVENTOR.

BY /4M/ (1 q TTOR/VEY Patented Dec. 29, 1953 UNITED STATE ATENT OFFICE TABLE WITH FOLDING LEGS dteinhold M. irraska, Altadena, Calif.

Application August 13, 1949, Serial No. 110,047

91Claims. i This invention relates to tables, and particularly to those having pivoted legs that may be held in extended position by the aidof astrut.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide a sturdy table of this type, utilizing but two wide legs, and that can be made in a simple and inexpensive manner.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved lock for the strut that effectively maintains the leg in extended position, and that is readily releasable when the leg is to be folded underneath the table.

Tables having such hinged legs are provided commonly with bearing standards that are at opposite ends of each leg, the standards being quite widely spaced. Screws are used to fasten the standards to the lower side of the table. As the leg is moved between extended and folded positions, as well as at other times, a considerable leverage may be exerted by the leg on the standard, tending to loosen the screws. It is, accordingly, another object of this invention to provide an improved standard structure that obviates this difficulty.

It is another object of this invention to provide a hinged or pivoted strut disposed centrally of the leg, and arranged in such manner that the parts may be simply assembled.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it maybe embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the-present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of .a table in extended position, and incorporating the invention, a part of the table being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of two tables placed side by side and held together to form a ping-pong table, or the like, a part of one of the tables .being in section;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View of the table shown in collapsed position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line ll of Fig. 3

Fig. ,5 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken alonga plane corresponding to line'55 of Fig. ,4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View, .mainlyiin section, illustrating the bearing structure for the legs;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view, taken along aiplane corresponding to line h of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, illustrating the pivot connection between the lower end of the strut member and the leg;

Fig. 9 is asectional view, taken along a :plane corresponding to line t t of 8;

Fig. .10 is a fragmentary view, showing the upper part of the strut structure and the catch or latch structure for holding the strut in leg extending position; and

.Fig. 1.1 is asectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line Il-li of Fig. '10.

The table top I may conveniently be formed of wood, such as plywood, and has depending sides 2 around the edge thereof. Adjacent each end of the table there are pivotally mounted a pair of legs 3 and 2. Each of the legs may be formed of hollow tubular material having around configuration. The ends 5 and 6 extend away from each other, and are joined by arcuate portions 7 and8 to the sides of the leg structure. These sides diverge downwardly terminate in the arcuate portions 9 and it. These arcuate portions are joined by central portion ii which extends considerably above the ground or floor it. A part :of this central portion l I is shown as horizontal, and the sloping portions iii and it extend to the arcuate portions a and iii.

The two points of support thus provided by each of the legs 3 and t are spaced apart on the floor or ground l2. Since the four limited areas of contact on the two legs 3 and i are quite widely spaced apart, a stable and rigid support is added.

When the legs are folded in the collapsed position illustrated in Figs. 3 and i, the table structure occupies a narrow space. The folding can be accomplished by pivotal movement of the legs about the bearing structures it cooperating with the ends 5 and t of the legs. One of these bearing structures is illustrated in detail in Figs. 6 and Ti, and will be described hereinafter.

vIn order to brace each of the legs 3 and it andto hold them in the extended position of Figs. 1 and 25a strut structure it is provided for each of the legs. Each strut structure it includes an exterior tubular member ii and an interior tubular member 58, which are in telescoping relation. The inner member I8 is pivotally supported by a bearing structure it, shown in Fi s. 1,8 and II, on the lower side of the table top 5. The outer tel'e scoping tubular member 2! is pivotally mounted upon the central portion i i of the leg structure.

The bearing structure [9 is placed nearer the table edge than the bearing structure .55 :for the corresponding leg. Accordingly, in the position in which the legs s and 4 are extended, as shown in Fig. l, the strut structure It is in its shortened position. As the legs 3 and 5 fold inwardly toward each other to the position of Fig. 3, the telescoping parts 5? and it move apart. Two spring clips iii are attached to the lower side of the table I in a position detachably to engage the outer telescoping portion ll (see, also, Fig. 5)

As shown in Fig. 2, two table structures may be placed side by side and held together by a plurality of screw clamps 22 which may be applied and removed as desired.

The bearing structure l5, cooperating with the ends 5 of the table legs, is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. These bearing structures include a pair of spaced yokes 23 having ends that contact the lower surf .ce of the table I. Within these yokes is rotatably fitted the extension 5. The yokes are held in place by the straps 2 5-. These straps 2 have projecting ears 25 through which the fastening means 2%, such as wood screws, may pass. Both the yoke 23 and the strap 24 have inter-engaging arcuate portions 2i and 28, respectively, forming an annular groove or space. These arcuate portions serve to stiffen the yoke 23 and the cooperating strap 24. Furthermore, the arrangement is such that the application of the fastening screws 28 serves to urge the ends of the yoke 23 firmly against the lower surface of the table top 5. In this way, movement of the leg 53 or Q about the axis of the bearing structure has no tendency to pull out the screw 26. The end 5 has a running fit with the yoke 23; and, if desired, a lubricant may be provided between the trunnion end 55 and the interior surface of the yoke 23. Two such yokes are shown in Fig. 6, so as to provide a wide bearing.

The telescoping strut structure, as heretofore stated, is pivotally connected at its lower end to the intermediate portion H of each of the legs. This connection is shown most clearly in Figs. 8 and 9. This bearing structure is so arranged that it is restrained against axial movement.

Thus, the bearing structure includes a strip 29 of flexible metal having an intermediate arched portion 3% forming an interior annular groove. The strip extends substantially completely around the center portion H of the leg, and is provided at its ends with the integral projections 31 and 3!. These projections assume a normal free position, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 9, tending to loosen the strip 29 from around the intermediate portion it. These ends, however, are restrained against spreading by being accommodated ithin the lower open end of the strut member 5?. A through bolt 32 serves to attach the strip to the tubular member H. A pin 33 is driven into the intermediate portion H, and has a rounded or button head 34% accommodated in the annular space or groove formed by the arch as. The head 35 efieotively serves to restrain the strip 29 from moving in an axial direction along the intermediate portion ll. Oil, or other lubricant, may be placed between the bearing surface formed by the exterior surface of the intermediate portion is and the interior surface of the strip 2%.

Assembly and disassembly of the bearing structime may be readily accomplished. Removal of the through boit s2, and or" the telescopmg strut portion permits the strip 2%) to expand sufiiciently so that it may be passed along the length of the integral tubular portion forming the leg, and iinally off of the leg at the ends 5. Reassembly may be similarly accomplished.

The upper telescoping portion of the strut structure I8 is pivotally mounted by the aid of a tubular pin 35, shown most clearly in Figs. 10 and 11. This tubular pin 35 passes through the spaced cars 35 formed on a standard 3? attached to the lower surface of the table top I. The ends of the pin 35 may be upset in order to prevent inadvertent withdrawal.

A latch arrangement is provided to maintain the telescoping parts I! and [3 in position to maintain the legs 3 and i in the extended position of Fig. 1. In this extended position of Fig. i, the outer telescoping member IT is in its uppermost position adjacent the pin 35 (see Figs. 10 and 11). Near its upper end the member I? carries an annular band 33 having a flared flange 39. This flange 39 is directed downwardly, and provides a shoulder serving as a part of the catch. Band 38 may be held in fixed position on the strut member 51, as by a prick punch fill. The flange 39 is adapted to be resiliently engaged by a catch at its lower side to prevent downward expanding movement of the tubular member 2?. For this purpose, use is made of a hollow coiled member ii which may be formed of helically wound wire. Through this coiled member passes a wire it which forms an integral connection between two springs 53 and :34. These spring embers 33 and i i are disposed around the pin 35. They have extensions 55 which engage the standard 3i. As viewed in Fig. 11, the springs as and t l tend to rotate the part 32 in a clockwise directon and thereby to carry the member fit underneath the flange 35. The member it thus serves as a latch, or catch, cooperating with the flange 39. Furthermore, since the member is is yielding, being made of turns of wire, it can readily adjust itself underneath the flange as for restraining this flange 39 against downward msvement.

In order to release the latch All, the springs 43 and M must be wound up in a counter-clockwise direction by moving the member H outwardly away from the flange 39. In order to facilitate this releasing operation, when it is desired to collapse the table legs, use is made of a lever member This lever member is shown as formed in a hollow oval configuration. It has a pm ll which passes through the latch member ti. The upper end of the lever 4'5 can engage the exterior of the tubular strut member ii, and thereby serves as a fulcrum or pivot for the rotation of the lever it to the dot-and-dash position of Fig. 11. Thus, the lower end of the lever 66 may be grasped by the fingers, and may be readily moved to the releasing position.

since the springs w and Q4 urge the latch member ii toward engaging position, it is not necessary to manipulate the latch member 46 when the table legs are moved to the extended pcsltic-n. In this movement, the latch member ii rides on the exterior surface of the flange 39 and finally drops into the latching position of Figs. 10 and 11.

The inventor claims:

1. In a folding leg structure for a table: a le formed of an integral piece of round material, the ends of the piece extending on a common axis at the upper part of the leg to form trunnions; and a bearing structure for each end, COHIDIlSIDg a yoke m which said trunnions are rotatable, said yoke having ends contacting the lower surface of the table; and a separate strap urging said ends into contacting relation and overlying said yoke.

2. In a folding leg structure for a table: a leg formed of an integral piece of round material, the ends of the piece extending on a common axis at the upper part of the leg to form trunnions; and a bearing structure for each end, comprising a yoke in which said trunnions are rotatable, said yoke having ends adapted to contact the lower surface of the table; said yoke having an arched portion; and a separate strap having a corresponding arched portion overlying the yoke, for urging said ends into contacting relation.

3. In a folding leg structure for a table: a pivotally mounted leg; a strut extending between the lower side of the table and the leg, said strut including inner and outer telescoping members respectively pivotally supported on the lower side of the table and on the leg; and means for detachably latching said members together, comprising a flange carried by the outer memher; a catch carried by the inner member having a surface adapted to engage the flange; spring means urging the catch into engagement with the flange; and means for applying a force to the 'catch for releasing the flange.

4. In a, folding leg structure for a table: a pivotally mounted leg; a strut extending between the lower side of the table and the leg, said strut including inner and outer telescoping members respectively pivotally supported on the lower side of the table and on the leg; and means for detachably latching said members together, comprising a flange carried by the outer member; a spring coiled around the pivot of the inner member; and a catch carried by the spring.

5. In a folding leg structure for a table: a pivotally mounted'leg; a strut extending between the lower side of the table and the leg, said strut including inner and outer telescoping members respectively pivotally supported on the lower side of the table and on the leg; and means for detachably latching said members together, comprising a flange carried by the outer member; a spring having parts coiled around the pivot of the inner member on opposite sides of the member and having a portion joining the two spring parts; a catch carried by said portion; and a lever pivotally carried by said portion for lifting said portion to release the catch, said lever having an end adapted to contact the said inner portion.

6. In a folding leg structure for a table: a pivotally mounted leg; a strut extending between the lower side of the table and the leg, said strut including inner and outer telescoping members respectively pivotally supported on the lower side of the table and on the leg; and means for detachably latching said members together, comprising a flange carried by the outer member; a spring having parts coiled around the pivot of the inner member on opposite sides of the member and having a portion joining the two spring parts; a hollow catch member carried by said portion in cooperative relation to the flange; and a releasing lever supported by and pivotally mounted about said catch member for lifting said catch member to release the catch member.

7. In a folding leg structure for a table: a pivotally mounted leg; a strut extending between the lower side of the table and the leg, said strut including inner and outer telescoping members respectively pivotally supported on the lower side of the table and on the leg; and means for detachably latching said members together, comprising a flange carried by the outer member; a catch carried by the inner member having a surface adapted to engage the flange; spring means urging the catch into engagement with the flange; and means for applying a force to the catch for releasing the flange, said catch being in the form of a yielding coil having an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the strut.

8. In a folding leg structure for a table: a pivotally mounted leg; a strut extending between the lower side of the table and the leg, said strut including inner and outer telescoping members respectively pivotally supported on the lower side of the table and on the leg; and means for detachably latching said members together, comprising a flange carried by the outer member; a spring coiled around the pivot of the inner member; and a catch carried by the spring; said catch being in the form of a yielding coil having an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the strut.

9. In a folding leg structure for a table: a pivotally mounted leg; a strut extending between the lower side of the table and the leg, said strut including inner and outer telescoping members respectively pivotally supported on the lower side of the table and on the leg; and means for detachably latching said members together, comprising a flange carried by the outer member;

a spring having parts coiled around the pivot of the inner member on opposite sides of the member and having a portion joining the two spring parts; a coiled catch member for yieldingly engaging the flange, and encompassing the said joining portion; and a releasing lever having a support passing through the catch member for lifting the catch member out of engagement with the flange.

REINHOLD M. KRASKA.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 162,215 Bradfield Apr. 20, 1875 800,817 Palmer Oct. 3, 1905 827,673 Swart July 31, 1906 1,300,862 Otte Apr. 15, 1919 1,487,497 Whewell Mar. 18, 1924 1,709,927 Whitney Apr. 23, 1929 1,757,260 Silverman May 6, 1930 1,840,844 Krema Jan. 12, 1932 1,872,833 Silverman Aug. 23, 1932 1,905,862 Harmon Apr. 25, 1933 1,966,344 Hallowell July 10, 1934 2,304,343 Diesbach Dec. 8, 1942 2,472,962 Shuflin June 14, 1949 2,478,502 Peterson Aug. 9, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 1,506 Great Britain 1900 586,014 Germany Sept. 28, 1933 

